Circuit-controller.



F. W. HARRIS.

ClRCUlT CONTROLLER. a APPUCATION men 0m 5 i910: I j a i 62 056, Patented Nov.- 30, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEU 1.

WITNESSES INVENTOR Z0. 34% BY 7 ATTO'RNEY "F. w. HARRIS. cmc-un CONTROLLER. APPLICATION men use. 5'. 1910.

' Patented Nov. 30, 1915.

' WI TNESSES':

/ ATTORNEY v UNITED STATES PATENT FORD W. HARRIS, 0F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentei or. St, t if.

Application filed December 5, 1910. Serial No. 595,637.

To all wkom z't may concern Be it known that I, Fono W. Harms, a citizen of the United States, and'a resident of lVilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement 'in Circuit- Controllers, of which the following is a specification.-

My invention relates to circuit controllers for electrically operated apparatus, and it has special reference to remote-control circuit interrupters of comparatively large capacities.

The object of my invention is to provide a controlling device of the class above indicated which shall be rugged and durable in construction, reliable and effective in operation and particularly adapted to introduce a suflicint time element into its action to insure the proper operation of an electrically operated circuit interrupter, or other device, with which it may be associated.

In power station practice, .where enormous amounts of power are handled by comparatively fewcircuit interrupters, it is of utmost importance that absolutely' reliable operation be secured. It is customary for circuit interrupters employed in this class of service to be provided with electrically operated closing and tripping coils which, in general, may be depended upon for relia bility of operation if the time of energization is sufiicient to allow' the magnetism o1 the coils to build up to'its maximum. Heretofore, frequent difiiculties have been experienced on account of careless manipulation by the station operators, and it is to obviate the'possibility of such troubles thatmy controlling device is particularly intended. v

According to my invention, 1 providev a circuit controller of the drum typewhich is biased to its off position under all operating conditions but which may be moved in opposite directionsto complete energizing circuits for the closing or tripping coils of a circuit interrupter. Furthermore, the mechanism of the controller is so constructed that, when moved into or out of either of its operating positions, the circuit is completed or interrupted with a snap movement, thereby eliminating arcing and the consequent burning of the contact fingers.- Moreover, I associate a time-element device therewith, so that when either energizing circuit is once completed, it remains so a sutlicient time to insure certain operationot' the circuit interrupter, after which the controller is automatically returned to its neutral position and a quick break of the cooperating contact members is eflected. I

My invention. may best be understood reference to the accompanying drawinesin .3

wh ch v F lgure 1 IS a view, partially in side elevation and partially in vertical section, of a controlling device constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail end view of the locking mechanism shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail end view of the eccentric and dash pot shown in 1, and Figs. 4i, 5 and (5 are diagrammatic views, showing the relationship of certain parts of the controlling device during successive steps in its operation.

Referring to the draw i the circuit controller compi s rting trame .1, an operating shaft 2, i 2;, movtime-element de- -n1inals 4. The stationary contact lingers 5 are disposed 1n rows on opposite sides of the 4 drum 3 and are so located as to cooperate with the movable contactterminals 4c when the drum 3 is moved into either of its operating positions. An end plate member 13, which is also loosely mounted upon shaft 9 and is rigidly associated with the drum 3, is provided with longitudinally projecting arms 14 and 15 for purposes to be hereinaft-er explained.

The operating handle 6 is fixed to one end of the shaft 2 and is adapted to be moved in either direction in opposition to the center'- ing spring 7, which biases the handle to its neutral position under all operating conditions.

Y A spring; retaining member 16 is pinned to the shaft 2' and comprises a hub portion 16 about which the spring 7,is disposed, and a T shaped portion 17, having oppositely projecting longitudinal arms 18 and handle 6, a centering spring 7, an actuating mechanism 8, a lockhandle in either direction produces tension in the spring 7, as willvbe readily understood.

' The actuating mechanism 8 comprises coil springs'23 and 24 and an intermediate member which. is loosely mounted. upon the shaft2. The intermediate member 25 is of compound= structure and its component parts secured together in a suitable etively.v

- plate member dash pot .51 by means includea centrally located'eccentric disk or sheave 26, flanged end. plates 27 having projecting portions 28, and spring-holding members 29 and 30,1 all of= said parts being manner to provide a single unit. Longitudinally disposed arms 31 and .32 are provided upon the spring-holding members 29 The coil springs 23 and 24 respectively surround the spring-holding members 29. and 30 and said springs are ofmaterially less strength than the centering spring 7, spring 24 being the weaker 0t thetw'o. The ends'33 and 34 ofthe springs 23 and 24 are located on the respective sides of the arms 19 and 31, and the arms 14 and 32,,respectively, in order that movement in either direction may produce a tension. therein, as will be readily understood.

A cam member 35 forms an integral part of the spring-holding member 30 and projects into anfopening located in a disk member 37. The disk mem: ber 37" is movably associated with the end 13, and is provided with oppositely disposedvprojecting portions 38 and 39 which are loosely fitted into openings 40 and 41 which are provided in the arms 14 and 15, respectively. An angle member 42 is secured to one face of the disk 37 and a spring 43 is locatedbetween said angle member and the arm 14, in order to maintain the disk member 37 in its lowerposition, th'ereby causing projection 39 to. engage a notch 44 provided: in a stationary bracket 45; 1 The. bracket 45 is further provided with notches 46 and 47 which coyliperate with'the projection39 when the controller is in either of its operatingpositions.

An eccentric strap 48 surroundsthe disk or sheave 26 in the usual manner and is pivotally associated with a-connectingrod 49 which is connected to'a piston 50- of a of a z-leveri 52 and a connecting link 53.-

The construction and-mode of operation of the coi perating parts-of the eccentric are old and familiar in the art and 'no detailed description is considered necessary. More over, the dash pot is also of well known construction and operates in the usual manner.-

and. 30, respec.-

36 which is centrally therefore,

ciated disk It will be observed, however, that the piston 50 is provided with holes 54 and a floating disk member 55 by means of which the dash pot performs its intended function only during its upward movement, as will be readily understood.

Assuming the controlling device to be in its neutral position and the various parts to occupy the positions shown in Figs. 1 2 and 3, the operation is as follows: If the operating handle 6 be moved for example in clockwise direction, as viewed from the front end of the controllingdevice, to one .of itsopera-ting positions, it is evident that tension is produced in' the spring 7 which tends to return the operating ha'ndle to its neutral position. Moreover, springs 23 and 24 are placed under tension andthe intermediate member 25; is rotated in a clockwise direction by reason of. the difference in the strengths OfibllG springs 23 and 24.- -As theintermediate member 25 is rotated, the piston 50 isvforced downwardly through the agency of the e'clcentriq but by reason of the peculiar construction of said piston, nodelayed actionof the intermediatemember is effected. Moreover, as the intermediate member 2 5-is: rotated, the camgmember 35 cothe release ofthe locking mechanism 9-,the

drum 3'is; actuated in a clockwise direction by means-ct the springs 23 and: 24 and a sudden engagement of the cooperating movable and stationary contact members 4 and 5 is efi ected. The springs 23 and 24 are, relaxed and exert no force upon the drum 3. As the drum 3 and its assojeoting portion 56'of the cam member 35 is disengaged-from the edge of the opening 36, and the spring 43 causes the projection 39 to engage the notch 46 in thestationary bracket 45, when the controller. is; in its operating position. The relationship of the v'ariousparts is. shown diagrammatically in -Fig. 5'. If the operating handle 6 be now released-,the spring? returns it to its neutral position. and thereby produces tension in the spring 23, as will be readily understood.

y reason of theexcess strength of the -v spring' 23, the intermediate member 25' is gradually rotated ina counter-clockwise direction against the action of the dash-pot 51, which, in its upward movement, intro-v duces atime-element into the operation; As the intermediate member 25 rotated-by the -spring 23,-potential energy is stored in the spring 24 until the projecting portion 57 of the; cam member 35 causes the e disk. member 37and, when: a predeteris gradually member 37 are actuated, the prorelease of the projection 39 from the notch 46. as shown in Fig. 6. As soon as the locking device 9 is released, the drum 3 is actuated in a counter-clockwire direction by means of springs 23 and 24 and a quick disengagement of the cooperating contact .ter-

minals 4 and 5 is effected, the various parts cuit interrupter not shown) to build up to its maximum value and thus insure positive and reliable operation.

The operation of the controlling device in the oppositedirection is similar to that hereinbefore described and. on account of its similarity, no further description is considered necessary.

Although I have shown and described a controlling deviceof specific structure and 'mode of operation, it is evident'that many modifications in the arrangement and location of parts may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I desire that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A controller comprising a plurality of stationary and movable cooperating contact members, said movable contact members being adapted to be moved in opposite directions, means for automatically returning said movable contact members to their oft" position and means for delaying such action.

2. A controller comprising stationary contact terminals, a cooperating contact-bearing 'member adapted for movement in either diing the action of said movable contact members, and means for effecting engagement and disengagement of said cooperating contact members with a snap movement.

4. A controller comprising stationary contact members, cooperating movable contact members adapted to be moved in opposite directions, a single means for biasing said movable contact members to their off. position, adjustable means for delaying the action of said movable contact members, and

means for causing a sudden movement of automatically returning said handle to its ofl position, means for moving said movable contact members subsequent to the movement of said operating handle, and means for delaying the movement of said movable contact members a predetermined amount.

6. A drum controller comprising stationary contact members. cooperating movable contact members, an operating handle resiliently associated with said movable contact members and adapted to be moved in opposite directions, a single means for automatically returning said handle to its otl' position, means for actuating said movable contact members subsequent to the movement of saidoperating handle. and means for delaying the movement of said movable con tact members a predetermined amount.

7. A controller comprising stationary and movable cooperating contact members, an operating handle adapted to be manually operated in opposite directions. means for re turningsaid handle to its otf position, rcsilicnt' means for causing sudden movement of said movable contact members subsequent to the movement of said operating handle, and means for delaying the sudden movement of said movable contact members! 8. A controller comprising a drum having a plurality of contact; members. a plurality of stationary contact members to cooperate therewith, an op rating shatt loosely fitted through said drum and resiliently connected thereto, an operating handle fixed to said shaft. means for preventing the movement of said drum until said handle is moved a predetermined amount, means for etl'ecting a snap movementof said drum, means For returning said operating handleto its oll position. and means for delaying. the action of said drum subsequent to the movement of said operating handle.

9. A controller comprising cooperating stationary and movable contact members. an operating handle associated with said mo"- able contact members and adapted to be manually moved in either direction, a single means for automatically returning said handle to its ofi',position and means for no tuating said movable contact members a predetermined time aftcr the movement of said handle.

10. A controller comprising a supporting frame, an operating shaft rotatably mount-' ed therein, adrum loosely mounted on said shaft, contact members secured to said drum,

stationary contact members to cooperate therewith, a spring to return said shaft to its off position, an intermediate member loosely, mounted on said shaft, a spring disposed between said shaft and said interme-' diate member, a second spring disposed between said intermediate member and said drum, a mechanical locking device associated with said drum, a cam associated with said intermediate member and adapted to 10 release said locking device under predetermined conditions, an eccentric associated with said intermediate member, and a dash pot connected to said eccentric.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of N ovember, 1910. a

FORD W. HARRIS. Witnesses: v

WILSON, L. WRIGHT, B. B. HINES. 

